Ghost Shrimp, also called Glass Shrimp are one of the easiest species of freshwater shrimp to keep. They are primarily translucent, small and highly active. Ghost shrimp are extremely popular due to their low price. Ghost shrimp can often be purchased en mass for as little as 20-50 cents each. This price makes them attractive to prospective owners but also as a live feeder for larger carnivorous fish. Ghost Shrimp are scavengers and do an excellent job of cleaning the aquarium of rotting debris and algae. They are effective at actively reducing nitrates within the aquarium and having a very low biomass footprint.
When compared to other types of shrimp, like Crystal Red Shrimp and Red Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp are very tough and can handle a lot. For this reason they are the best beginner shrimp to trial before moving on to more expensive varieties. They are easy to breed and maintain. Ghost Shrimp will consume almost any type of food. They are also effective scavengers. Ghost shrimp are tolerant but are still sensitive to water fluctuations. Water chemistry should be kept stable when housing Ghost Shrimp. If they begin to look unwell in the aquarium immediately check the water temperature and recent additives.
Ghost shrimp are a popular freshwater crustacean to add to home aquariums. With their translucent bodies, beady little eyes, and peaceful temperament, they make for interesting and low-maintenance tank mates. But before bringing home these tiny invertebrates, it’s important to understand how many can comfortably live in your tank
In particular a 10 gallon aquarium is a common starter size for freshwater setups. So how many ghost shrimp can realistically be kept in a 10 gallon tank? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of keeping just 2 ghost shrimp in this size enclosure.
An Overview of Ghost Shrimp Care Needs
Before getting into stocking numbers, we first need to understand the general care requirements for ghost shrimp. Here are some of the basics:
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Preferred Tank Size: 5 gallons minimum, but 10-20 gallons is ideal
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Water Conditions Prefers pH between 70-8.0. Needs stable water parameters with no drastic fluctuations.
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Temperature Range: 65-85°F
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Feeding: Omnivorous – eats fish flakes, algae wafers, blanched veggies.
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Lifespan: About 1 year
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Temperament: Peaceful. Compatible with small community fish.
So while ghost shrimp can survive in a 5 gallon tank, a 10 gallon or larger is recommended, especially if housing fish too. They are adaptable to a range of water parameters as long as their environment is stable.
Now let’s look specifically at stocking 2 ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon aquarium.
The Pros of Keeping Just 2 Shrimp
Here are some potential advantages to housing only 2 ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon tank:
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Lower bioload – With just 2 shrimp, they won’t contribute a significant bioload to the tank. This helps keep water quality stable.
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Limited competition – Less competition between shrimp for food and space. They are more likely to get along.
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Easier to monitor health – You can pay closer attention to each individual shrimp’s behavior and appearance.
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Lower cost – Only buying 2 shrimp is cheaper upfront compared to larger numbers.
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Less work if one dies – If you lose a shrimp, you only have to replace one instead of multiple.
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Prevents overcrowding – 2 shrimp is an understocked level, so no concerns about issues with too high a density.
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Good for beginners – Caring for 2 shrimp is less challenging for aquarists just starting out.
Two shrimp is essentially the minimum number you would want to buy. So this can be a nice conservative approach for a 10 gallon tank.
The Cons of Just 2 Shrimp
However, there are also some potential disadvantages of keeping only 2 ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon aquarium:
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Less interesting to watch – With just 2 shrimp, there will be less activity to observe in the tank.
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May exhibit shyness – Being only 2 shrimp, they may be more reclusive and hide more often.
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Lower success rate breeding – It is hard to breed just 1 male and 1 female. More shrimp increases breeding odds.
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Risk of bullying – With just 2, bullying of one shrimp by the other could be an issue.
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More likely to prey on each other – Having only 2 shrimp increases the chances of cannibalism if one shrimp dies.
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Easily overlooked – Just 2 tiny shrimp could be very easy to miss in a 10 gallon tank.
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Shorter lifespan as feeders – Many buy ghost shrimp as feeders. 2 shrimp may not last long.
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Less able to form colony – Ghost shrimp like to form social colonies. 2 limits colony formation.
So while the lower bioload of just 2 shrimp helps simplify the care process, it can also come with some drawbacks for observation and shrimp behavior.
Recommended Stocking for 10 Gallon Aquariums
Most experts recommend the following ghost shrimp stocking levels for a 10 gallon tank:
- Minimum: 2-3 ghost shrimp
- Moderate: 5-10 ghost shrimp
- Maximum: Around 20-30 ghost shrimp
Of course, these numbers depend on if you are keeping fish or other tank mates as well. The shrimp should only represent about 10-20% of the tank’s total biocapacity.
Here are some general ghost shrimp stocking guidelines for a 10 gallon:
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Only Shrimp – Can safely add 20-30 shrimp if no fish present
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With Small Fish – 10-15 shrimp if tank includes small community fish
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With Medium Fish – 5-10 shrimp alongside medium sized fish
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With Large Fish – 2-5 shrimp with large species that may eat them
So in a 10 gallon community tank, you generally want to stick with 5-15 ghost shrimp depending on the fish sizes. 2 shrimp may work but upping to 5 or more is recommended.
Tips for Keeping Ghost Shrimp Healthy
Here are some tips for keeping your ghost shrimp healthy and comfortable if housing just 2 in a 10 gallon tank:
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Add plenty of hiding spots like plants and rock caves
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Use a gentle filter to avoid trapping shrimp against intake
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Perform frequent partial water changes of 20-30% weekly
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Test water parameters regularly and keep nitrates low
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Make sure pH and temperature stay stable at all times
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Feed a variety of foods like algae wafers and blanched veggies
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Avoid housing them with aggressive fish that may prey on shrimp
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Quarantine and acclimate shrimp properly before adding to main tank
Compatible Tank Mates for 2 Ghost Shrimp
Here are some suitable fish species that 2 ghost shrimp could be safely housed with in a 10 gallon tank:
- Guppies
- Tetras like ember tetras or cardinal tetras
- Small rasboras such as chili rasboras
- Danios like zebra danios or pearl danios
- Dwarf corydoras catfish
- Endler’s livebearers
- Platies
- Gouramis like honey or dwarf gourami
- Bettas (with caution, dependent on temperament)
Just be sure not to overstock the tank. Stick to nano schooling fish or a betta as the primary resident. Avoid cramping the 10 gallon with too many tank mates if housing ghost shrimp.
While some may argue that 2 ghost shrimp are too few for a 10 gallon tank, this number can certainly work just fine. As long as you provide ample hiding places and compatible tank mates, 2 shrimp will do alright. They will have enough room and should exhibit natural behaviors.
However, bumping the number up to 5-10 shrimp is also reasonable if your tank can accommodate the added bioload. This helps liven up the aquarium and allows the shrimp to form a small colony. But keeping things simple with just 2 shrimp, especially if newer to the hobby, is a perfectly valid way to go. Being understocked poses little risk as long as their basic needs are met.
Questions and Answers About 2 Ghost Shrimp in a 10 Gallon Tank
Below are some common questions hobbyists have about keeping 2 ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon aquarium:
Q: Will 2 male or 2 female ghost shrimp get along OK?
A: Yes, 2 shrimp of the same sex should not have aggression issues. Males and females look nearly identical.
Q: Is a filter required in a 10 gallon with just shrimp?
A: A low flow sponge filter would help maintain water quality. But not 100% essential with just 2 shrimp.
Q: How often should I feed 2 shrimp in a 10 gallon?
A: Feed just a small pinch of food 1-2 times per day. They eat very little compared to fish.
Q: Do I need a heater for ghost shrimp in a 10 gallon?
A: Yes, shrimp need water temps between 65-85°F to thrive. A small 50W heater should suffice.
Q: Can ghost shrimp live alone or do they need groups?
A: They prefer groups, but 2 shrimp won’t be lonely. They’ll appreciate plants and caves.
Q: Will 2 ghost shrimp clean my 10 gallon tank well?
A: They help eat debris but don’t expect them to “clean” it alone. Snails help too.
Q: How can I add calcium to my 10 gallon tank for 2 shrimp?
A: Supplement their diet with calcium-rich veggies or use a liquid shrimp supplement.
Closing Thoughts
Ghost shrimp can make for fun and simple additions to a 10 gallon freshwater tank. While experts recommend getting at
Ghost Shrimp as live feeders
- It is possible to breed ghost shrimp to feed aquarium fish. Oscars, Arowanas, Cichlids, Angelfish, Discus, and Trigger Fish, as well as other larger freshwater species, will benefit. Ghost shrimp have a lot of natural fats and oils that help them color and grow.
- Ghost Shrimp are much less likely to spread disease than other species that eat live food. Parasites can be found in feeder fish and blood worms, but not in ghost shrimp because they are invertebrates.
- A separate tank should be set up so the Ghost Shrimp can breed. Ghost Shrimp are easy to breed and can be raised to provide a steady supply of food for the display tank every week. Further reading regarding breeding can be found below.
Adding the Ghost Shrimp
- Ghost Shrimp can live in aquariums that are bigger than 5 gallons. It is best to keep them in an aquarium with only their own kind of fish. Larger fish can easily bother and eat ghost shrimp because they are small and can’t defend themselves. Before you put the shrimp in the aquarium, make sure it has been chemically tested and meets the above requirements.
- Put the Ghost Shrimp in a bowl after taking them out of the bag. Make a siphon from the aquarium with air-line tubing and a rubber band. Wrap the rubber band around a bent part of the tube to kink it. Change the bend so that one drop of water can drip out of the tube slowly every second. For the next 20 to 30 minutes, let this drip into the bowl and keep a close eye on it.
- Use a soft mesh net to move the Ghost Shrimp into the aquarium after 20 to 30 minutes. When moving the shrimp, cover the net with one hand so they can jump out and get away.
- Even though ghost shrimp are tough, bad water can hurt them. If a situation does arise check the water immediately. Perform a water change and try to identify the problem. You should move the Ghost Shrimp to a good temporary home if you have more than one aquarium. Even if the conditions aren’t ideal, is usually much better than leaving them in an aquarium full of poison.
- Here is a link to a full article on how to set up a shrimp tank. More detailed instructions on how to set up, cycle, and choose the right hardscape
- Ghost shrimp eat anything they can find, so they will eat a lot of different things. They eat everything, so brush algae and food that falls to the ground are natural foods for them.
- Ghost Shrimp can eat processed foods like flakes. They are typically unfussy eaters. If you look closely, you can see that the food in a ghost shrimp’s body is very clear. Ghost Shrimp will also eat boiled zucchini and soft vegetables. The shrimp need nutrients, and vegetables are a cheap way to give them those nutrients.
Ghost Shrimp Info And Care | Ghost Shrimp Care Guide!
FAQ
How many ghost shrimp can live in a 10 gallon tank?
How many shrimp for a 10 gallon tank?
Do ghost shrimp multiply fast?
What shrimp can live in a 2 gallon tank?
How many ghost shrimp in a tank?
Ghost Shrimp are small and don’t require much space to keep a small group of them. You can keep a single Ghost Shrimp in a Tank as small as 2 gallons, but it is recommended to keep them in a small group of at least 15. You could keep 15 to 20 Ghost Shrimp comfortably in a 5 gallon. Ghost Shrimp prefer their water at around 65F to 75F.
How much water do ghost shrimp need?
Ghost shrimp need a minimum of 10 gallons for stable water conditions. Depending on the size of the population you want to keep, this may need to be adjusted. If you want to keep ghost shrimp in a community aquarium, base the gallon size off the needs of the other fish and add an extra 10 gallons for shrimp.
How to keep ghost shrimp in a community aquarium?
If you want to keep ghost shrimp in a community aquarium, base the gallon size off the needs of the other fish and add an extra 10 gallons for shrimp. Live plants are the most important component of a shrimp aquarium or a community aquarium with shrimp in it. They provide a food source and a hiding place for shrimp.
Are ghost shrimp good aquarium cleaners?
Ghost shrimp are great aquarium cleaners, as they are scavengers and search the gravel for food or leftovers from other tank inhabitants. This is why the tank they are kept in should not be the cleanest. Although they are very small creatures, be careful not to overcrowd smaller tanks with fish and shrimp.